GOSPORT Borough have signed well-travelled former Portsmouth striker Rowan Vine.

Having failed in his attempt to woo Warren Bentley away from Winchester City or prise ex-Saint Matt Paterson back from Havant & Waterlooville, Borough boss Alex Pike has plumped for the experience of 33-year-old Vine.

Born in Basingstoke, the 6ft 1in frontman joined Welling United in January having parted company with Scottish League outfit Greenock Morton.

He once commanded a fee of £2.5m when he left Luton for Birmingham City and has also played for the likes of QPR, St Johnstone and Hibernian.

Vine made his Gosport debut on Saturday as Borough fell to a slender 2-1 home defeat by Daryl McMahon’s league leaders Ebbsfleet in the National League South.

Justin Bennett cancelled out Matt Godden’s Ebbsfleet opener, but Danny Kedwell – who had appeared to be offside in the build-up to the first goal - restored the visitors’ advantage.

Hampshire’s two other National League South sides also lost 2-1 at home.

Havant & Waterlooville trailed to goals from Wealdstone’s Bradley Hudson-Odoi and Jefferson Louis before the visitors had Elliott Godfrey red-carded for a foul on Brian Stock.

James Hayter promptly halved the deficit for the Hawks but they could not force a leveller against the ten men.

Rock-bottom Basingstoke Town are now five points adrift of safety after falling victim of a revenge attack by Chelmsford City, who had lost to Jason Bristow’s men in the FA Cup.

A double from debutant Matthew Whichelow sealed the points for City either side of Liam Enver-Marum’s penalty reply.